Deck 7: Ancient Religions of Iraq and Iran

Question 1

What Babylonian god conferred immortality on Utnapishtim and his wife out of remorse for causing the great flood?

A) E
B) Enki
C) Enlil
D) Tammuz

Answer 1

C

Question 2

The Mesopotamian agricultural goddess who descended into the underworld of Ereshkigal was

A) Inanna.
B) Shamash.
C) Sin.
D) Ishtar.

Answer 2

A

Question 3

At what age did Zarathustra's religious upheaval begin?

A) 40
B) 15
C) 30
D) 20

Answer 3

C

Question 4

The hero of the creation myth in the Babylonian Enuma Elish is

A) Tiamat.
B) Ishtar.
C) Marduk.
D) Ea.

Question 5

Unlike many religions today, Zoroastrians

A) welcome all to their beliefs.
B) have a large following.
C) are kind to heretics.
D) seek no converts to their religion.

Question 6

The Chinvat Bridge could be compared to which of the following in today's terms?

A) the birth of a baby
B) judgment day
C) being born again
D) the path to religious freedom

Question 7

Ziggurats were used for

A) cleansing.
B) worship.
C) drinking.
D) reading.

Question 8

Why did the Mesopotamian religion not retain its hold on human imagination?

A) It did not offer immortality.
B) It was polytheistic.
C) It was too complicated.
D) It was absurd.

Question 9

Zarathustra's first vision or revelation was of

A) Vohu Manah.
B) Angra Mainyu.
C) Ameretat.
D) Ahura Mazda.

Question 10

According to Babylonian myth, what spread pestilence and suffering among humanity?

A) insects
B) rats
C) pigeons
D) demons

Question 11

In Zoroastrianism, the virtue of spiritual truth is known as

A) kusti.
B) sudreh.
C) naozot.
D) asha.

Question 12

Inanna's descent into the underworld represents what natural phenomenon?

A) changing of the seasons
B) a volcano eruption
C) hurricanes
D) fire

Question 13

Who told Gilgamesh how to find the plant of immortality?

A) Enkidu
B) Enlil
C) Dumuzi
D) Utnapishtim

Question 14

Like many religions today, Zoroastriansim

A) has services on Sunday.
B) passes a collection basket.
C) has rituals for certain rites of passage.
D) buries the dead within three days.

Question 15

Historical depictions of Mesopotamia refer to

A) all of the land around the Mediterranean Sea.
B) the land between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers.
C) the name of Utnapishtim's ship.
D) the moat around a ziggurat.

Question 16

What belief did the Mesopotamians, and later the Hebrews, have?

A) Earthly things were of no importance.
B) All humans must answer for their conduct toward fellow humans.
C) Nature plays a minor role in life.
D) There is no law under god.

Question 17

According to the Enuma Elish, Marduk created the world by splitting in half the body of the Goddess

A) Ea.
B) Inanna.
C) Tiamat.
D) Ishtar.

Question 18

What did Ahura Mazda promise to the followers of Zarathustra?

A) long life
B) psychic abilities
C) immortality
D) unimaginable wealth

Question 19

The Zoroastrian Festival of the New Day is for

A) giving presents and gifts to the poor.
B) honoring the souls of the dead.
C) celebrating the New Year.
D) ritual cleansing.

Question 20

The king of Uruk who sought immortality following the death of his friend, Enkidu, was

A) Utnapishtim.
B) Gilgamesh.
C) Enki.
D) Tiamat.

Question 21

Zarathustra won his most important convert, King Vishtaspa, by healing his favorite dog.

Question 22

The scriptures of Zoroastrianism were all written during the life of Zarathustra.

Question 23

Which group identified themselves with Zoroastrianism and the birth of Christ?

A) Amesha Spentis
B) Kings
C) Magi
D) Mani

Question 24

The point of the Gilgamesh epic is that great humans can be named among the gods.

Question 25

Because Utnapishtim was a devout man, the gods warned him to build a boat for humans and animals to save them from the great flood.

Question 26

The hero Gilgamesh despised the wilderness creature Enkidu and sought to kill him.

Question 27

A ziggurat symbolized a meeting place for gods and humans.

Question 28

Zoroastrians believe that the evil force that opposes God is Mithra.

Question 29

Zoroastrians are firm believers in the Law of Karma.

Question 30

Zarathustra's visions continued over the course of ten years, during which time he attracted many followers.

Question 31

As Gilgamesh rested, the plant of immortality was eaten by a serpent.

Question 32

Zoroastrians regarded Zarathustra as a god who became a man.

Question 33

The Babylonian underworld, or the "land of Kigal," could only be entered through the grave.

Question 34

Zarathustra was a firm monotheist.

Question 35

In the New Year's festival, the king of Babylon swore to Bel-Marduk that he had struck suppliants on the cheek and humiliated them.

Question 36

Rites of passage were very important to the ancient peoples of Iraq.

Question 37

Zoroastrians have often endured persecution because of their faith.

Question 38

Hammurabi offered the people of Babylon a code of justice based upon laws he received from the sun god, Shamash.

Question 39

The ancient Mesopotamian gods only communicated with humans through dreams.

Question 40

Zarathustra was born to a poor family under humble circumstances.

Question 41

Describe in detail the Zoroastrian death ritual.

Question 44

Identify each of the six Amesha Spentas. Describe what they are, their purpose, and their actions in favor of Ahura Mazda.

Question 45

Briefly describe the life and essential teachings of Zarathustra.

Question 46

Zoroastrians are very accepting of converts to their religion.

Question 47

Recount the myth of Inanna's descent to the underworld.

Question 48

Discuss the ancient religions of Iraq and Iran as sources of beliefs in other religions.

Question 49

Describe the "mission of man" according to the Goddess Isthar in the myth of Gilgamesh. What does this say about Mesopotamian ideas concerning life and the afterlife?

Question 50

Describe what important contribution to the historical development of Zoroastrianism was made by the Magi.

Question 51

Describe what the authors states to be one of the most enduring contributions of the Mesopotamians, and how their beliefs compared to the later Hebrews.

Question 52

Of the religions of Iraq and Iran, which had more lasting influence in the Middle East? Organize facts to support your decision.